Alben William Barkley (born Willie Alben Barkley, November 24, 1877 – April 30, 1956) was a lawyer and politician from Kentucky. Barkley served 14 years as a U.S. Representative, 23 years as a U.S. Senator, and from 1949-1953 as the 35th Vice President of the United States under PresidentHarry Truman. When Truman announced that he would not seek re-election in 1952, Barkley began organizing a presidential campaign, but labor leaders refused to endorse his candidacy because of his advanced age (74), and he withdrew from the race.

Barkley set a few records in the vice presidential office, including being the first to pass his 70th birthday before his election, the first to marry while in office, and the first to be referred to as "veep."

The issue was rendered a moot point when the Soviet Union successfully deployed two atomic bombs against Washington, DC in May 1952. Barkley and most of the Federal government were killed in the blast.[2]